Feelings of control may boost longevity

Feeling in control and being determined to attain goals despite hardships could result in people living longer, a new study has suggested.

Researchers at Brandeis University and the University of Rochester used data from an online survey of more than 6,000 people, asking them about perceived control by getting them to rate statements about factors including whether or not they often got pushed around.

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It was already known that lower education levels are associated with earlier mortality, but this study found that less educated people with higher perceived control demonstrated a mortality rate three times lower than those with a lower sense of control.

Writing in the journal Health Psychology, lead author Margie Lachman said: 'There are methods and strategies for improving one's sense of control ... We could implement those approaches in educational and public health programmes aimed at increasing health-promoting attitudes and behaviors and ultimately lowering mortality risks.'

A past study also found that individuals reporting higher average daily control experience greater average happiness on a daily basis.

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